Spanakopita — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Spanakopita rewards good feta and a filling that is not wet; too much moisture and the bottom phyllo turns soggy. Wring the cooked spinach bone-dry in a towel before it meets the cheese. Brush every phyllo sheet with butter and you get the shatter you are after.

Vegetarian

Contains dairy · eggs · gluten

Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 8 servings

Feta

The salt and tang of the filling; buy a real brined block, not the pre-crumbled dust.

12 oz

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Butter

Brushed between phyllo layers for crispness; melted butter is what makes it shatter.

1 cup

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Olive oil

Sweats the aromatics and enriches the filling.

1/4 cup

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Eggs

Bind the filling so it slices clean instead of crumbling.

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Spinach

The bulk of the filling; fresh spinach cooked and wrung dry, or thawed and squeezed frozen.

2 lb

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Phyllo dough

The crisp shell; keep it covered with a damp towel so it does not dry and crack.

1 lb

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Fresh dill

The herb that makes it taste Greek; chop it fresh right before mixing.

1/2 cup

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Scallions

Milder than onion, sweated into the filling.

1 bunch

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The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat

A reasonable little indulgence.

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Air fryerSheet pan

The Method

Cook the spinachWilt the spinach, cool it, then wring it dry in a clean towel until no water drips.
Mix the fillingCombine dry spinach, crumbled feta, dill, scallions, and beaten eggs; taste before salting since feta is salty.
Layer the baseBrush a phyllo sheet with butter, lay it in the pan, and repeat for half the stack, letting edges overhang.
Fill and topSpread the filling, fold the overhang, then layer the rest of the buttered phyllo on top and tuck the edges.
Score and bakeScore the top into pieces and bake at 375F for 45 minutes until deep golden and crisp. Rest 15 minutes before cutting.

The Toolkit

Baking dish · Pastry brush · Clean towel · Box grater · Sharp knife

Straight Answers

Can you make Spanakopita in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — bake it in a small pan or dish that fits the basket, at about 25°F below the recipe temperature. Air fryers run hot and fast, so check it early; no flipping needed.

Can you freeze Spanakopita? — Yes

Yes — freeze it well-wrapped, then reheat or toast straight from frozen. Frost or glaze after thawing.

Can you make Spanakopita ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Spanakopita gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).

Is Spanakopita vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.216

Spanakopita, and where to source it